The towns and communities of Outer London and the Home Counties, within the London sphere of influence, share many characteristics and challenges. But it is questionable whether they get together well enough to share understanding and experience of best practice to mutual benefit. And they need to get together better if their collective voice is to be properly heard.

This new conference addresses the need for better understanding and more dialogue. The advantages of planning across the administrative boundaries at the regional scale are increasingly being recognised, and there are positive recent developments to report. But there is a pressing need to bring people together across other boundaries as well - between professional disciplines, between the public, private and voluntary sectors, and to listen to the people at the front line of delivery, at the local levels.

Speakers include: Mike Gwilliam, Director of Planning & Transport, SEERA; John Lett, Strategic Planning, Greater London Authority; Simon Quin, Chief Executive, Association of Town Centre Management; Nichols Falk, Director, URBED; Jonathan Roberts, Director, Citigate Public Affairs; Prof. Robin Thompson, Planning Advisor to the Mayor of London; Dr. Denvil Coombe, Independent Transport Planning Consultant; Alan Moore, Head of Planning & Transport, EERA; Iain Sinclair, Author; Mike Hayes, President of the Royal Town Planning Institute and Director of Development, Watford Borough Council; Dr. Laura Vaughan, Lecturer in Urban Transformations, The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, University College London; Graham McNally, Chief Executive, Kingston Town Centre Management Ltd. Chairs: Mike Hayes & Nicholas Falk.